Tommy Kulczyk named Montreal's new Commissioner for Children

Tommy Kulczyk, a familiar face at Sun Youth, is leaving the organization after 34 years to continue his work with Montreal's youngest residents — this time as the city's Commissioner for Children.

In an effort to address poverty, social inclusion and Quebec's notoriously high dropout rate, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre launched a child policy on June 16.

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The city wants its most disadvantaged children and teens to have access to lunch, sports, cultural and extracurricular activities.

Kulczyk was chosen this week to do just that, and he'll have a $5-million annual budget to make it happen.

"People are tired of hearing promises," said Kulczyk, who's currently the assistant executive vice-president at Sun Youth.

By September, there will be lunches. That's concrete.- Tommy Kulczyk, Montreal's new Commissioner for Children

"The Commissioner is the conductor," Kulczyk said, "he's the one who's going to make sure that everyone plays their part."

For Kulczyk, that will mean working with other organizations like the Breakfast Club, as well as the one he's the devoted the last three decades to. 

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Some of that work will include ensuring the success of Montreal's 50 most disadvantaged schools and making sure they have access to a social pediatrics clinic, which is a community-based and holistic approach to child health.

Kulczyk says one of the policy's new goals may already be a reality when he takes officer September 5.

"By September, there will be lunches. That's concrete."